H.O.R.S.E ing Around

This Sunday I got permission from my boss (for those single folks; boss = wife) to play in the next phase of the Cajun Classic. The Cajun Classic is a series of 10 poker tournaments put on by a great host, Puppy Feet. This tournament happened to be H.O.R.S.E.

I know a few of my faithful readers have no clue what H.O.R.S.E stands for so here it is

Holdem – Limit Texas Holdem
Omaha-8 – Limit Omaha Hi-Lo
Razz – Seven Stud with worst hand bringing home the bacon
Stud – Seven card Stud
E - Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo (Note: E comes from the fact that low hand must be <8)

The tournament starts at 1:00 PM. I did not have a chance to eat lunch so I ran into HEB for a beer and brag of pretzels. I then drove through Jack I-the-Box for a jumbo Jack. I new I was running late, but I never been to a tournament that started on time.

I made it to the location exactly at 1:00 PM and I was the only one there other than the host. Puppy feet promptly stated we are going to start on-time and blind people out. He was expecting 10 persons. So I ponied up my $30 buy-in with $5 of the entry going to the Championship prize pool. The winners of all ten events meet in a championship NL Holdem tournament. Just before we sat down Mr. D showed up and we began our round of holdem. Everyone started with 300 tournament chips.

I had no problem blinding folks out, but it sure sucks dealing to 7 invisible persons. It worked out because a few folks showed up and could play the cards that were dealt to their seat. Soon we had seven persons and one more person for sure on the way. I was a bit confused on whether each game lasted per round or by the clock. At first we would get a round in during the 20 minute clock. After awhile it seemed like we only got half way around the table when the clock was up. That did not seem correct so we abandoned the clock and agreed to reinstate the clock when we got down to the final four persons.

The other thing that really threw me off was the change in betting structure. For Holdem and Omaha blinds were used. For all of the stud games antes and bring ins were used. The bring ins were also confusing in that for Stud it was the lowest up card. For Razz and Stud-Eight it was the highest upcard. Betting was confusing because for Stud it was the high hand first to act and for Razz and Stud-8 it was the low hand that was first to act. I still do not quite agree with the Stud-8 approach, but I am so confused I may be wrong on how we actually did it. I just followed along.

Before I get into some specific hands I want to highlight my one potentially big mistake. We were playing a round of Stud-8. I am heads up with one other person, who had to aces showing. I had two tens showing. I also had a ten in the hole. I assumed the other person had a third ace by the way she was betting. It was possible she was going low, but on the turn came a card that made it impossible for her to be going low. I ended up with a Ten low, so I called her bet. Boy was that stupid because in Stud-8 the low must be less than 8 to qualify. I think I donated about $30 bills with this mistake.

There was another hand where Puppy Feet did the same thing. I believe it was in Omaha and I ended up after some caught the mistake scooping a large pot.

I also benefited during the first round of razz. I had an eight high, but my opponent was showing A23. I thought for sure I was beat, but when my opponent turned his cards over he had a jack low or something like that. He did not realize the two pair messed up his hand. He thought he would win because he had A23. I had pretty much been losing blinds and bring ins until this hand.

For most of the day I did not get a single hand in Omaha-8 worth playing. One hand I found myself with pocket aces. The board showed a pair of nines on the flop. Mr. W raised $140. I still had a low draw and something just did not seem right about his raise. The turn was another high card and Mr. W popped it for another $140. I called again. On the river came an ace. I was smiling inside with the nuts. Mr. W checked. I be $140 and he called. He turned over pocket kings. I raked a huge pot knocking Mr. W. down to I believe $15 in chips. He is a stong player, so I was in good shape. Soon Mr. W was out and Puppy feet was out. I was heads up against Mr. D.

We started with razz. Oh my cards were horrible for example a pair of kings showing. I lost 2/3 of my stack. We soon switched to stud. I got aggressive and begin to steal antes and bring ins. Soon I had the chip lead back. After about a thirty minute battle I won the final chip from Mr. D. It was a ton of fun! I won $130. More importantly I am now qualified for the championship. I can not wait. I had to share my bounty with my better half and even the kids got a portion of the winnings. Oh well! It was a ton of fun!

Nothing like drinking Guinness and playing a great tournament. I definitely would like to play HORSE again.

Time to play some online poker! Only two weeks left before giving it up for 40 days.

Play on!